Win Against Detroit Lions Would Make Philadelphia Eagles for "Real"

By Bob Francis

John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 13 the Philadelphia Eagles took a large step in the right direction by beating a formidable opponent in the Arizona Cardinals. It was the first team with a winning record that the Eagles had beaten all year. However, with the schedule piling up more quality opponents and the pressures of a playoff run in the picture, the Eagles, should they be able to meet the challenge, will be more than prepared for anything sent their way.

The task of meeting the test begins this weekend when the first place Detroit Lions come to the confines of Lincoln Financial Field for a showdown. Although the Lions have seen their difficulties throughout the year, their stellar performances lately shows they are a quality opponent of playoff caliber. Should the Eagles be able to produce enough offensively and find support on the defensive side of the ball to match up with one of the NFL’s best quarterback-receiver combos, they’ll be primed to make the run in the final weeks, putting the pressure on the Dallas Cowboys to keep pace.

To this point the Eagles have been looked upon by most as a team improving but still not ready to challenge the upper echelon teams for spots in the playoffs. Philadelphia had simply taken care of business as they were expected to until this past week when they beat Arizona. Now, should they knock off the NFC North leading Lions, others around the league will need to take the Eagles seriously.

With a win this weekend they can quickly become one of those threatening, I don’t want to see teams entering the home stretch of the season. The Eagles can play with nothing to lose because no one truly expected them to be in this position with only four to play. Anything they can get out of Chip Kelly’s first season in Philly would be icing on the cake.

They believe in themselves, and now they’re making others believe which could be a lethal combination if fuel continues to be added to an already sparking fire.